What Would Martin Do? MLK Remembered with Scholarship Lunch

On Sunday, January 19th, St. Mark’s revived another pre-COVID tradition with the return of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Luncheon. This event raises funds which are then given to graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated service and leadership in the life of the parish.

During our 10:00 a.m. service, which featured spirituals and other topical music, members of the congregation including the children helped “act out” an acrostic dedicated to Dr. King which was written by our own Jeanette Adams. As part of the sermon, the Rev. Joan Conley presented the Sunday school class with wooden gifts created by Henry Robinson and his son in gratitude for the cards and well-wishes they sent him during his long hospital stay.

Immediately after the service, the Pan-African flag was raised outside. Meanwhile, six of our young leaders set up for their presentation of Letter from a Birmingham Jail, directed by Dr. Ardie Walser.

We then rejoined to Carroll Hall, where a wonderful buffet lunch catered by Two Fish, Five Loaves in Union, N.J., was enjoyed by all as we listened to a “fireside chat” featuring career television commentator Randall Pinkston and past scholarship recipient Cannon Johnson and moderated by Allison Davis. She also screened this video of “thank yous” from past scholarship recipients in which they talked about their achievements since receiving the awards.

Many thanks to event chair Andrea Guzman and all who worked and participated in this tribute to Dr. King’s legacy of service and witness.